[b] Talking to the trees (Slurry x Atone)

[fluo]

Slurry was pleased with himself. He had his fun and now he had a delightful surprise on the way. Of course it was easy for him- his body wasn't changing and he wasn't the one carrying around extra weight in the sweltering heat that was summer. Summer was usually his favorite season but this one was rough and scorching hot. He could feel the sweat moving between his hair. While it provided a nice cooling sensation, he was tired of smelling ripe all the time. He ran from the smell when he could but in his calm moments, his heart beat on with the knowledge that he reeked. But that was an irksome rant for another day. He had the easier lot in life and for that reason, he was doing everything he could to assist his mate. He was off to find a legendary. He wasn't sure what form they came in. Someone told him they could appear as a tree so he made sure to stop by every single one. It was a slow process and he was on day four.

[anemosagkelos]

[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... erpent.png[/imgright] Atone felt cranky as she pinned her wings against her body and slithered along the ground. The heat of summer had soured her mood as daisies had overtaken the field that provided the best rabbit hunting; the itching, she could have made due with, but the sneezes and coughs announced her before she could even think to infiltrate the warrens the rabbits had constructed.

All she wanted was a cool hollow of a tree or an ice pond to drape herself in but the thought was ripped from her head as the stench and need for a blessing pierced into her consciousness. She felt herself wilt, petulant. Maybe she wouldn't be noticed? She snorted at the thought.

"You need a bath," a ghostly mare barked as the feathered serpent lifted its body into the air and flared its wing.

[fluo]

Wow. The small tree talked to him! That kin was right. Trees could be legendaries! And then he saw the slightest fluttering of feathers in the wind and his eyes narrowed in realization. It was a feather serpent. And she called him stinky. To be fair, he was, but still it stung. But he didn't have time to give life to that feeling of inadequacy. He had a pregnant mate and the summer was difficult for her as is.

"I know I smell. I'll shower after I find a legendary to bless. Are you that legendary?" Slurry tried to edge away and position himself upwind. It wouldn't do if this tree slash feathered serpent was spooked by his lack of hygiene.

[anemosagkelos]

Atone looked around, pondering a potential escape or the approached of another Legendary, then sighed deeply, "Unfortunately, I am." The ghostly mare settled herself just behind the feathered serpent eying the foul kin.

"What is it your mate, as you clearly lack dignity, wishes for her children?" she shot, haughty and amused.

[fluo]

Slurry was many things but he wasn't done and he for sure wasn't born yesterday. He rushed out his plea. "My good smelling brood will be smart, resourceful, and have highly developed senses of smell. And eyesight, too. That wouldn't hurt." He made sure to emphasize that while he was smelly, his good mate and his future brood would not be. This was a one off. This wasn't how he usually was, but time was of the essence and something about this Mare made him think she was a no nonsense type. She wasn't here for his sorry excuses.

[anemosagkelos]

"Very well," Atone replied.

She breathed in, "Your children shall be intelligent and resourceful, their eyesight and keen sense of smell will aid them in hunting and attracting sensible mates, and they shall know how to scent themselves to be also pleasant."

She nodded, satisfied, and then the ghostly mare vanished leaving only a feathered serpent to slither by.

[fluo]

He watched the tree go by. By now he was certain that one kin was joking when they told him stags and mares could be trees. That feathered serpent was the definition of not tree. And he was really grateful for the generous blessing she doled out. She didn't have to. With how he was offending her, he wouldn't have been surprised if she had cursed them all to be smelly like he was. He smiled into the sky. He got the blessing. But doubt wormed in his mind. He should have asked for cooler weather and an easier time for his mate.